Federal funds announced for four farm-related businesses in the Rochester/Finger Lakes

Casa Larga Vineyards in Monroe County will be one of the businesses to receive funds.

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By Julie Sherwood

MPNnow

By Julie Sherwood

Posted Aug. 21, 2014 at 3:13 PM

By Julie Sherwood

Posted Aug. 21, 2014 at 3:13 PM

U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand today announced $643,800 in federal funding for two farms and two small businesses in the Rochester/Finger Lake region. The funding is through the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program.

The senators stated in a release: “Lagoner Farms, Inc. in Wayne County will receive $49,900 in federal funds to start a hard cider business. This funding will help Lagoner afford the costs associated with producing hard cider from the apples they have grown on the farm for over 100 years and market the new product to raise awareness.

TreeCrisp2Go in Monroe County will receive $200,000 in federal funds that will be used to increase marketing capabilities to raise awareness for its new apple product.

Casa Larga Vineyards in Monroe County will also receive $200,000 in federal funds that will be used to renovate a barn on its property. The expansion of this barn will allow Casa Larga to increase its retail space and sales by creating an indoor farmers market where local farmers will be able to sell their products year round.

RT Solutions, which does business as Worm Power, in Livingston County will receive $156,500 in federal funding to begin production of a product that turns organic vermi-compost into a viable liquid product that improves plant quality.

Crosswinds Farm and Creamery in Seneca County will receive $37,000 in federal funds that will be used to increase marketing for its artisan cheese business and improve the farm’s overall production to bring in increased revenue.”